[ video ]

[pandamaiden]

[ Dark eyes and black braids. The face of a young girl, perhaps familiar to some, perhaps not to the rest, but it isn't whether she is familiar or not that is the question. It is why in those eyes that usually glitter with youth and determination, there is the glaze of daze and confusion, a paleness to her skin that is not usually there. The

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[Voice]

[i_love_squats]

[Holy. Shiva.]

[Holy Ice Mama Shiva.]

[The voice hurries, switches to video, and have one shocked, hopeful looking Zack.]

Mei?! Mei! Is that you?!

[ video ]

[pandamaiden]

[ Mei squints at the screen for a moment before there's a light of recognition and a bright smile.

Xiao-Mei looks happy herself. ]

Zack-san! [ One of her favorite people. How could she be worried or scared anymore? ] You are still here?

[ video ]

[i_love_squats]

[And she remembers?! This is--this is the best news in a long time! He nods, a happy, buoyant bobbing of his head as he throws the Forge into the air and catches it with a flourish mastered by thousands of replicas with his sword.]

You bet! How could I leave without seeing one of my favorite girls again, huh?

[ video ]

[pandamaiden]

[ He said favorite! If she were not already going to marry her handsome knight, Zack would definitely be next in line. ]

You did not wait too long?

[ video ]

[i_love_squats]

[That's okay, Mei. He'd be happy to be your Best Man. Or give you away. Or, hell, for you, he'd be the Flower Girl.]

Kiddo, I'd wait til the end of time for you! Where are you at? Does Scar know you're here?

[ video ]

[pandamaiden]

[ Zack would make a lovely flower girl. She can picture it perfectly! ]

It isn't as flattering when you say kiddo. [ A little pout for you, Zack. She isn't a kiddo, she is a lady! ]

But he hasn't said anything yet. I'll go see him.

[ video ]

[i_love_squats]

[Darn right, he would! And you'd never forget it.]

[Oh, kid pouts. He'll never gain an immunity to them.] Sorry, sorry, Miss Mei. Won't let it happen again.

And, you sure you should go alone? Things have been...tense... lately.

[ video ]

[pandamaiden]

[ She could not. Now she wants to take Zack home so she can plan proper. ]

What happened here?

Re: [ video ]

[i_love_squats]

[She just wants to put flowers in his hair. Admit it.]

A lot of things. Some folks got [killed] hurt. I think it might be over soon.

[ video ]

[pandamaiden]

[ ... maybe. ]

Really...? [ She's not scared. Well, maybe a little. Anatole is a scary place. ]

[ video ]

[i_love_squats]

[Knew it.]

Yeah. But don't worry; you know we wouldn't let anything happen to you.

[ video ]

[pandamaiden]

You can come with me to visit him. [ She is totally not asking because she's scared, Zack. ] He seems a little strange.

[ video ]

[i_love_squats]

[It's okay; he's overdue for a Scar visit, and he knows that.] He's probably just surprised. I'm sure everything will go back to normal the second he sees you. [I hope...]

[ video ]

[pandamaiden]

Has it really been that long? [ Hard to say... Anatole hasn't changed much and neither have the people.

Well... they'll just have to make sure Scar picks up! ]

[ video ]

[i_love_squats]

It's been a long while, Mei. Too long. We've really missed you. [Well, some things never change.

[And there's no way Scar can avoid them, darnit!]